Chinese High-Tech Export Performance: Effects of Intellectual Capital Mediated by Dynamic and Risk Management Capabilities

Abstract

This study analyzed the effect of intellectual capital on Chinese exporters’ performance and the joint mediating effect of two-way capabilities to explain the relationships. With a sample of 197 firms responsible for exporting Chinese high-tech products, we empirically evaluated higher-order constructs in a partial least squares structural equation model using a two-stage approach. The results show that firms’ intellectual capital generates dynamic capabilities, which lead human, structural, and relational capital to improve overseas export performance. Furthermore, the study shows risk management capability also has a complementary mediating role in improving overseas export performance. These findings point to the significant role of two-way capabilities, clarifying how risk management capabilities can be used to enhance export performance and highlighting the role of dynamic capabilities in leveraging export performance. Our findings hold managerial implications on how Chinese high-tech exporting businesses adapt to fast-changing environments.